ICAST retailer: top tackle and free beer make New Product Showcase unmissable

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Tim Elie, Buyer and Vice President of the Californian-based Outdoor Pro Shop describes ICAST as ‘huge’ for the company.

Top notch products, great atmosphere and free beer – you can’t beat it!

That’s the assessment of the New Product Showcase from Tim Elie, Buyer and Vice President of the Outdoor Pro Shop, in Cotati, California.

An attendee of the world’s largest fishing trade show since 2003, Elie says that ICAST is a ‘huge’ priority for him and the company. “Here at Outdoor Pro Shop we sell fishing tackle for just about every category so we try our best to see the whole show, although – because of its size – that in itself presents its own challenges.

“ICAST and the New Product Showcase is huge for us. There are always new vendors every year who are pushing the envelope with their innovation and ideas. We find exciting vendors from all over the world and this gives us a great advantage to stay competitive in a fast-changing retail landscape.

“If you spend time and money to travel to Orlando you must attend the New Product Showcase. Every factory is putting out their best products at the show and you can see them all in a short space of time.

“Getting in line to sell the hot new items is a huge benefit and ICAST gets you close to the top of the queue.

“Most of our established vendors preview their ICAST productions prior to Orlando so we use the short amount of time at the show to touch the product again and learn more about it from the factory staff at the booth.”

Elie added that developing personal relationships are high on his hit list at ICAST. “We have made a lot of connections with factories and have got to know some of the staff on a personal level.

“I would definitely recommend other retailers to attend. It can be a challenge and a difficult time to be away from your store during the busy summer selling season, but if you can swing it you will feel the benefits of attending far outweigh the negatives. If you are looking to compete in this retail environment you must go to ICAST to give your business the best opportunity to thrive.”